CBU Recreation Services Story
CBU Recreation Services continues to enhance student experience
Capers benefit from variety of offerings
By Corey LeBlanc
SYDNEY – Move over Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson, Cape Breton University (CBU) Recreation has its own multi-sport athlete.
Shail Castelino, who grew up in the southern city of Bangalore – which is widely-known as the Silicon Valley of India, was named the MVP of the 2022-23 season for CBU Rec – the more common moniker used for the department at the university that provides recreation and sport opportunities to students.
“Initially, as I was new to Canada and CBU, I thought the best way to make connections and meaningful relations would be through sports,” the soon-to-be second-year student in the CBU post-baccalaureate diploma in healthcare management program said in a recent email interview from his hometown.
During his first year on the Sydney campus, Castelino took advantage of any opportunity he could to participate. He learned about CBU Rec through emails from Manager Yann Artur, who keeps the university student body informed about offerings, and “word of mouth.”
“I have always been into sports – and staying active – so I thought that joining the intramural leagues seemed like a great way to have fun and stay fit,” Castelino said.
He noted, in his first year, he played in intramural tournaments including soccer, volleyball, table tennis and soccer baseball – just to name a few.
“It’s been a fantastic way to meet new friends who share my interests, and have a friendly competition,” he added.
Artur agreed that Castelino is a prime example of the early success that CBU Rec has experienced since it launched in 2021.
Noting that it had been approximately more than 20 years since CBU provided “organized recreation” offerings to its student body, Artur explained that the idea to renew such a program came from President David Dingwall, who has focused heavily on providing as many ways as possible to enhance the student experience since he began his tenure.
“President Dingwall had a tremendous desire to revive recreation,” he noted.
Artur, the long-time CBU staff member, was tasked to carry out that vision.
“It gave me time to do research and plan,” he said of the time period when the COVID-19 global pandemic slowed or stopped any activities.
Artur not only spoke to officials with other universities about what they provided, as an example, but also tapped into the expertise offered by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NISRA).
“I wanted to learn how they run their programs,” he added.
Eventually, under the auspices of the CBU Athletic Department, along came CBU Rec, with its goal to “appeal to as many people as possible.”
“Again, it is really about the student experience,” Artur said, reiterating the foundation of Dingwall’s vision.
With providing everything for free as a key component, CBU Rec has established a four-pronged approach to reach as many of the university’s more than 6,000 students as possible.
‘Sports for All’
“It speaks for itself,” Artur said of that pillar, one that focuses solely on “fun.”
Noting that there are no teams or leagues, its offerings could include everything from accessing equipment to play a particular sport, such as badminton, basketball or volleyball; to participating in open gym time.
“It also includes access to our fitness centre,” he added, which offers not only cardiovascular and strength-building equipment, but also classes in areas such as yoga and Zumba.
The “non-competitive” opportunities are also accessible off campus, including skating at Centre 200 and curling at the Sydney Curling Club.
“It was amazing,” Artur remembered, noting that the 50 pairs of skates and helmets were loaned out for each session last winter.
Particularly popular with international students – many who had never laced up the blades – it provided the chance to interact with members of the broader community.
Artur agreed it is an example of how CBU Rec also wants to provide programs and services “outside the walls” of the university’s campus.
Looking to compete
For students who want to get their competitive juices flowing, CBU Rec provides leagues and tournaments.
Artur explained that this branch includes 12 sports, as part of six sets of leagues, which cover the fall, winter and spring months. The tournaments are usually one-day events – taking place once or twice per month – while the leagues cover a five-week period.
“It is made for non-varsity athletes,” he noted.
Caper varsity student-athletes cannot play on a team in their sport. For example, a women’s basketball player cannot participate in the basketball league, but she take the pitch for soccer or the court for volleyball.
“We are trying to mimic the student-athlete experience,” Artur offered.
Under this umbrella, he pointed out, the “signature event” is the annual Caper Games, which are staged early in the fall semester.
“We want to get everybody involved,” Artur said.
To accomplish that, the competition includes mostly games – with modified rules – so “everyone can participate.”
“It is really a good way to kick off the year,” Artur added, noting that the 2022 Caper Games attracted 90 to 100 students.
As part of the effort to focus on “having fun,” those who reach the podium for a particular event receive Oreo cookie medals: golden (gold), regular (silver) and fudge (bronze).
“People look for it,” Artur noted, with a laugh, of the tasty incentive.
Other leagues and tournaments offered throughout the year include a variety of sports such as soccer, cricket, volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis to name a few.
Club sports
For non-varsity students who want to “compete at a higher level,” CBU Rec supports club sports.
“It is a little more serious,” Artur said of the commitment and intensity of competition involved, adding that these teams usually compete at local, regional and provincial levels.
Last year, CBU Rec boasted nine sport clubs: competitive (played against other institutions or in formal leagues), women's hockey, men's rugby, badminton, golf, soccer, track and field and cricket; and recreational: table tennis and volleyball.
“They tend to enter tournaments,” Artur added of the societies, noting – for example – that cricket squads travelled to PEI in the spring.
As for their place in CBU Rec, he informed, “We provide them with a lot more than other universities.”
He said that they received space to train – at no cost – along with uniforms. There are also monies available to help with travel expenses and accommodations.
Outdoor Rec
The final one of the four-pillared approach taken by CBU Rec is Outdoor Recreation. Artur noted “at CBU the value of outdoor programs as part of a comprehensive campus recreational sport plan adds an additional avenue for the pursuit of well-rounded and healthy lifestyles”
The on campus outdoor facilities and/or activities include: The outdoor turf soccer field, an outdoor grass field for cricket, full track and field facilities, an 18 holes disc golf course, two beach volleyball courts a nature trail and a bike share program.
Dome coming home
the on-campus facilities available to students, including – of course – the venerable Sullivan Fieldhouse.
One of the bedrocks – the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex dome – is readying for its return; a new Dome will see its doors reopen in early Fall 2023.
“It’s exciting, It will give us much more flexibility – it is a game-changer,” Artur explained, noting that it will help free up time an over-extended Sullivan Fieldhouse.
And, with that space, there will be likely be the chance to expand the sport offerings – in areas such as softball, ultimate Frisbee and cricket, just to name a couple of examples.
Also, as part of the Sydney campus’s footprint, CBU boasts a beach volleyball court and disc golf course. There are also bicycles available to take on the neighboring trails, and beyond.
And the winner is
During the COVID-19 pandemic – even with things often slowed or shut down – Artur noted that CBU Rec averaged 250 drop-in visits daily.
“We are pleased with the growth,” he added of the participation levels in tournaments and leagues.
After attracting more than 800 students in 2021, enrolment increased to 1,055 in 2022.
At the end of the year, CBU Rec hosts an awards banquet where students who excel, like Castelino – the 2022 MVP – are honoured.
“Without them, we don’t exist,” Artur said, in outlining the importance of recognizing students with the annual banquet, which includes a meal.
Life-changing opportunities
For Castelino, having the chance to be part of CBU Rec and what it offers has “significantly improved my experience.”
“Not only has it given me an outlet for staying active and healthy, playing sports is my so-called happy place where I de-stress and have no worries bothering from my ongoing busy schedule,” he explained.
Castelino added, “It has also provided me with a sense of community and belonging on campus. Everyone I know through my encounters at CBU Rec are so uplifting, especially from the volleyball group.”
He noted many of the friendships he has formed have extended beyond the court or the field.
And, when it comes to being part of a team, Castelino offered that it has taught him “valuable teamwork and leadership skills, which I believe will be beneficial in my future endeavors.”
“My involvement in the intramural programs has added a new dimension to my university life, helping me balance academics with a healthy and social lifestyle,” he concluded.
Come join us
With the fall semester of the 2023-24 academic year fast approaching, the annual Caper Games are on the horizon. It will also soon be time to register for the first sport leagues or tournaments.
With technology playing a key role in how CBU Rec delivers its programs and services, students will soon receive an email inviting them to take part, and outlining how to do so. And, during the respective intramural seasons, participants receive an electronic update on their game-to-game schedule.
For more information on Cape Breton University (CBU) Recreation – CBU Rec – visit www.cbu.ca/future-students/campus-life-recreation/